Hurricane Nolo continued its path away from Hawaii on Sunday, yet officials warn that the danger of flash flooding, heavy rainfall, and intense winds remains for communities still reeling from recent weather events. Located roughly 365 miles south-south-west of Honolulu, the storm is moving away from the Big Island at 12mph. Despite its distance, the Hawaii county civil defense agency has maintained high wind warnings, wind advisories, and high surf advisories for various island sectors through Sunday night, as the storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 115mph. Despite signs saying the strand was closed, about a dozen people were in the water on Saturday morning at Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo on the Big Island. And events were canceled, shop owners boarded up businesses.
Although the National Hurricane Center projects that Nolo’s center will remain well south and south-west of the archipelago, the system is expected to intensify and shift toward the north-west by Sunday night, likely nearing the Papahānaumokuākea marine national monument. Forecasters caution that the storm’s outer bands could trigger life-threatening mudslides and flooding, with parts of the Big Island potentially receiving as much as 20 inches of rainfall.
National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, citing the high risk of downed trees, compromised power lines, and dangerous flooding conditions. Across the state, approximately 400 national guard members have been deployed, with over 120 currently stationed on the Big Island following the governor’s emergency proclamation. Additionally, an emergency declaration approved by Donald Trump has authorized FEMA to provide necessary funding and coordination support for the state. “Don’t venture out if you don’t have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. Near Naalehu, at the island’s southern point, national guard members were seen guiding a man driving through flooded streets as he tried to leave his home during a downpour. According to gill, Storms were common, but hurricanes were rare.
The impact is already visible, with heavy rains on Saturday forcing partial closures on key highways connecting Kailua-Kona and Hilo. Residents, still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Lala—which previously destroyed approximately 100 homes—are exercising caution. While locals like swimmer Andrea Gill noted that rain is familiar, she acknowledged that high winds are not, making the storm’s potential impact particularly concerning for those accustomed to different weather patterns. Andrea Gill was out for her regular swim before heading back home to hunker down with family. She was holding out hope that the islands might not get the full impact.
As Hawaii prepares for the aftermath, Mexico is bracing for its own significant weather event. Hurricane Polo, a category 3 storm packing maximum sustained winds of 125mph, is currently tracking north-north-west at 12mph. Positioned about 275 miles south-south-west of Cabo San Lucas, the hurricane is projected to make landfall on the Baja California peninsula by Monday. In anticipation, the Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning for the mainland coast between Huatabampito and Guaymas.
Logistical preparations are underway, with the Mexican navy deploying three vessels to assist coastal communities and stockpiling humanitarian supplies in Guaymas and Mazatlán. In the small fishing community of San Juanico, residents are particularly worried about isolation, as damaged roads could cut off access to the nearest medical center, located 80 minutes away in Ciudad Constitución. Hotel manager Gloriely Robles Meza described the atmosphere as one of deep concern, noting that the community has not faced such a severe threat in years. The Mexican army has since arrived in San Juanico to establish shelters and provide emergency support.
Compounding the regional activity, the National Hurricane Center reported the formation of Tropical Storm Rachel on Sunday. Located approximately 300 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico, the storm currently carries maximum sustained winds of 40mph. While Rachel remains off the coast, it adds to an unusually active Pacific hurricane season, which meteorologists note is consistent with current El Niño patterns.
